The Apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat. So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place. (Mark 6:30-31)
This past month has been full, and in reflection, I realized I have been grieving - even as new life and joy is springing deep within. Can it really be that joy and sorrow can exist together and not not exclude the other? Can comfort come in desolate places?
A friend reminded me yesterday, that grief and gratitude are two sides of the same coin: that grieving comes when that which has touched us deeply, has changed. Gratitude, in the midst of grief is hard… But it does ease the sharp taste that can lead to bitterness. For this, I am deeply grateful.
In the midst of what is happening within my heart and inner life, my outer, family and community life is full and filled to overflowing. Days have been filled with good things, but they have been many, and I am weary. So, this Saturday morning, when I could have slept in, I went to the 8am service!
The above passage from Mark was part of today’s gospel reading. Afterward, I stayed and prayed. And was given the gift of just being allowed to remain in church: to pray and just "be" while one by one, lights were extinguished, heat turned down, and people left.
By staying still, I was given the grace to "come away." The deserted place came to me! And now that I am home, echoes of that respite remain with me still.
I must admit, that when I think of deserted places, I think of places of desolation, abandonment, disarray, debris-ridden and neglect. In this setting, comfort and rest that rejuvenates does not seem possible, but then I realize that my associations with deserted places are those run-down, trash-strewn, discarded places of our landscape that we as society, have ceased to care for.
Then I think about the larger landscape which we are a part of: the mountains, the streams, the woods, the prairies, the ocean. These are places that, by definition, would fit “deserted places” as they are without human habitation, yet they are abundant with life on so many levels. These are places of solace, and deep soul-comfort that challenge my understanding of “deserted.”
I cannot always get to these geographically deserted places where life abounds. Or can I?
Is it a matter of physicality that makes a deserted place holy or life-abundant? Or is it clearing the debris in my own life, heart, home – making space for the Holy One to abide within?
I pray for the grace, that my desire to “come away” to the deserted places with Jesus would increase, and be reflected in my life, both internal and external.
